LAS VEGAS — A few weeks ago, to open the season, University of Hawai'i quarterback Colt Brennan said scores didn't much matter.

"Ws matter most, whether you win by five points or 100 points," Brennan suggested.

A nice thought and, perhaps in a perfect world, the way it ought to be in college football.

But it's a luxury the Warriors don't have now. The reality is that size does matter. Especially in margin of victory this week.

After escaping with a 45-44 overtime victory over Louisiana Tech, the Warriors require a victory in the 3:30 p.m. (Hawai'i time) game to be sure, but also need a convincing one. None of this batting down a two-point conversion attempt in the end zone to win in overtime. Heck, no overtime, please. No drama beyond halftime.

Now, please understand we're not advocating the Warriors run the score up on the Rebels, or anybody else. Even when things are clicking and the opportunity presents itself. To do that would be unsportsmanlike, there's that word again, not to mention counterproductive.

The point is the Warriors need to demonstrate the ability to put away their opponents. This week of all weeks. Something along the lines of a nice two- or three-touchdown difference would be just dandy. Something paralleling or bettering the 17-point spread would do nicely, especially after UNLV gave No. 5-ranked Wisconsin trouble before succumbing last week, 20-13.

To be taken seriously as a top 20 team the Warriors need to show some separation on the scoreboard, especially against a team picked to finish last in the Mountain West Conference. The inability to finish off Louisiana Tech is why UH dropped from 20th to 24th in the Associated Press poll of sportswriters and sportscasters and was unmoved at 22nd in the USA Today coaches balloting even while several teams above them were losing.

There is an early-season lesson in all this shake-up and that is the polls help the teams that help themselves. When you are a team 2,500 miles off the beaten path, you need to be your own best friend. Indeed, if UH is to make a run at a Bowl Championship Series berth in the event it runs the regular-season table, it is going to need to rise in the polls. And, in the early, softer, cream-filled portion of its schedule — UNLV, Charleston Southern, Idaho, Utah State etc. — the Warriors have an opportunity to be the Sir Edmund Hillary of non-BCS conferences. But only if they take care of business.

Today that business includes cutting down turnovers (there were three last week) and forcing opponents to cough some up (they had none last week). It means making field goals and tackles. Oh and, hopefully, not getting any 15-yard penalties for the haka.

Do those things and the Warriors should win the game and improve their standing in the polls if not life.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.